Illuminable display structure



5, E. A. WILLER 2,251,861

ILL iIMINABLE DISPLAY STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 3, 1940 Patented Aug. 5, 1941 UNITED STATES PT OFFEQE.

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a number displaying structure designed primarily for use in connection with visibly supporting the number of a house or residence, but it is to be understood that a display structure, in accordance with this invention is for employment in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of the class referred to for displaying the number of a residence or house in a manner for making it readily discernible during day and night. I

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of the class referred to including means whereby the house number supported thereby may be '11- luminated when desired.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of the class referred to including means whereby the components of a house number displayed thereby may be readily changed when desired.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a house number displaying structure including means whereby the components of the number are independently and removably connected in display position to thereby permit of expeditiously changing components when desired.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a structure of the clas referred to for visibly supporting, in sidewise parallel alignment, a plurality of upstanding components to form the house number, each component being in the form of a transparent panel provided on its back with a digit or nought for correlation and with the components, when desired, capable of being simultaneously illuminated from their bottom edges.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a house number displaying structure which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efilcient in its use, distinctive and attractive in appearance, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid, and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in connection with a house number formed of four components, but it is to be understood that the house number may be formed of a single component or two or more.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a house number displaying structure in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 Figure l and upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in top plan,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in front elevation, and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section and upon an enlarged scale.

A house number displaying structure, in. accordance with this invention includes a housing l0 formed of a pair of side walls II, l2 each consisting of an upper portion i3 of uniform width merging at its lower end liitO the upper end of a lower portion Hi which increases in width downwardly from its point of mergence with the portion i3, and a back wall i5 formed at its lower end with a forwardly directed base portion IS. The portions 14 of the side walls ll, I2 at their front extend forwardly with respect to the fronts of the said portions l3. The portions 13 at their fronts are formed with oppositely disposed inwardly extending flanges Ill. The portions M at their fronts are formed with inwardly extending oppositely disposed flanges Hi. The flanges H are vertical. The flanges l8 incline downwardly and forwardly throughout. The side walls H, 52 at their rear are formed with oppositely disposed inwardly extending vertical flanges L9. The portions it at their lower ends are formed with oppositely disposed inwardly extending flanges 20. The back wall I5 is arranged between the side walls II, l2 forwardly of the flanges [9. The base portion N5 of back wall it is mounted on the flanges 20.

The housing it) includes a vertically disposed one-piece combined supporting, front wall and partition forming element 2| consisting of a front upstanding rearwardly inclined portion 22, a horizontally disposed base portion 23 extending rearwardly from the bottom of portion 22, a rear upstanding forwardly inclined portion 24 extending from the rear of portion 23 and a vertically disposed intermediate portion 25 extend ing from the upper end of the portion 24. The portion 22 provides the front wall of the housing and is overlapped by the flanges I8. The portion 23 seats on the base portion IS. The latter forms the bottom of the housing. The portions 22, 24 extend towards each other. The upper ends of the portions 22, 24 are spaced from each other. The portion 22 extends above the portion 24. Near the point of mergence of the lower end of portion 25 with the upper end of portion 24 the portion 25 is struck out at a plurality of spaced points to form forwardly extending spaced supports 26 disposed at right angles with respect to the point of junction of the portions 24, 25 and arranged below the upper end of portion 22. The supports 26 are spaced from the portion 22 and their purpose will be referred to. Formed integral with the upper edge of portion 25 is a series of bendable angle-shaped retainers 21 for a purpose to be referred to.

The element-2| is arranged between the side walls I I, I2 and forwardly of the back wall I5. The portion 25 of element 2| is disposed-between thewalls II, I2 rearwardly of and in proximity to the flanges II, andthe said portion 25 has its forward face provided: with an opaque coating 23.

The portions 22, 23 and 24 of the element 2| coact with the portions I4 ofthe side walls II, I2 to form a substantially triangular shaped open top lampchamber .29.; The saidportion 24 is provided with an opening 33 for a purpose to be referred to. The rear face of portion 22, upper face of portion 23 andforward face of portion 24 are provided throughout with a coating 3| constituting. a reflecting surface and such coating may be whitepaint or white enamel. The portions 24, 25 of element 2| coact with a part of the portions I 4 of the said side walls, the portions i3 of the said 'side walls and the said back wall to provide a chamber 32 forreceiving a forwardly directed horizontally disposed support 33 for an electric lamp- 34. The support 33 extends through the opening 30 into the chamber 29. The lamp 34 is connected to the forward end of support 33 and it is arranged in the chamber 29.

The support 33 is secured, by the holdfast means 35', to the forward face of back wall I centrally of and in proximity to the lower end of the latter. A controllable electrical leading-in-connection for the lamp isindicated at 3B and extends I outwardly from side wall I2.

The side walls I I, I2 are detachably maintained in abutting relation with respect to the back wall, element 2| and base portion I6 by a pair of oppositely disposed threaded headed bolts 31, 38 detachably connected together by .a coupling nut39. The bolts 37, 33 respectively extend through openings 45, 4| formed in the'side walls II, I2 and have their heads 42, 43'abut the outer faces of the portions I3 of the side walls. The bolt 3'! is of greater length than the bolt 38. The shanks of the said bolts and the nut 39 are arranged in the chamber 32.

The flanges I'I in connection with the forward terminal parts of the portions l3 of the side wall and the side terminal parts of the portion 25 of the element 2| formed oppositely disposed inwardly opening channels 44 open at their upper ends; The flanges I I also constitute retainers for' a purpose to be referred to.

The house number is generally indicated at 45,

I and is shown by way of example as consisting of fourcomponents 46, 41, 48, 49. Each component 1 will consist of a rectangular transparent panel 56 preferably formed of glass. Each component will be provided on its rear face with a digit or a nought. Preferably the digits and noughts will be white and preferably they will be painted on the rear faces of the panels. As shown the panel of the component 46 has a digit 5| on its rear face and such digit is 5; the panel 5|] of the component 41 has a nought 52 on its rear face; the panel 50 of the component 48 has a nought 53 on its rear face; and the panel 50 of the component 49 has a digit 54 on its rear face and such digit is 2. The example of the house number is 5002. Preferably the panels of the components will correspond in size.

The components of a house number are to be positioned against the forward opaque face of the portion 25 of the element 2|, depend below the upper end of the portion 22 of element 2| and have a portion of'their bottom edges seated on the supports 26. The components when mounted relative to the portion 25 of the element 2| have the lower parts of their fronts bear against the top edge of the portion 22 of said element. When the components of a house number are positioned relative to the supports 26, they are disposed in sidewise abutting relation, and the outer components of the set of components extending into the channels 44, and when so arranged the flanges I'I assist in retaining the components in position. The components after being mounted on the supports 26' are detachably connected against the portion 25of the element 2| by the bendable angle-shaped retainers 21 arranged relative to the'top edges and fronts of the components in a manner as shown'by the retainer 21-, Figure 3. The-retainers 2-1, flanges-I1, supports 26 and top edge of portion 22 of element 2| correlate to detachably maintain the components in a vertical position.

-The'-housing I 5 includes a flanged closure 55 for its upper end. The closure 55 is detachably secured in position by the holdfast means 55, and it is formed with suitable hang-up means 5''! for suspending it at the desired position with respect to the house with which the structure is installed.

The components of the house number are illuminated from the bottom edges of their panels. The opposing of an opaque background by white digits and also a white nought or noughts on the rear faces of transparent panels make the house number readily discernible during the day, and also when the components are illuminated at night.

What I claim is:

1. In an illuminable display structure, a housing having the upper portion of its front open, an upstanding element within the housing having a vertical part arranged rearwardly of the open front portion of the housing, said part having an opaque front face, transparent panel-like means arranged rearwardly of said open front portion of the housing, forwardly of and in juxtaposition to said face, said means having its rear provided with means to constitute an indicium bearing against said face for display through said transparent means, said element and said housing having coacting means for removably connecting said transparent means to said part in an upright position relative thereto, and means Within the housing and extending into said element for illuminating said transparent means from one edge thereof.

2. In an illuminable display structure, a housing having the upper portion of its front open, an upstanding element within the housing having a vertical part arranged rearwardly of the open front portion of the housing, said part having an opaque front face, transparent panel-like means arranged rearwardly of said open front portion of the housing, forwardly of and in juxtaposition to said face, said means having its rear provided with means to constitute an indicium bearing against said face for display through said transparent means, said element and said housing having coacting means for removably conneot- 10 ing said transparent means to said part in an upright position relative thereto, said upstanding element including other parts coacting to form a lamp chamber having an open top disposed in proximity to the bottom edge of said transparent means, and a controllable electric lamp within said chamber for illuminating said transparent means from one edge of the latter.

EDWARD A. WILLER. 

